A Level Difficulty Comparison Tool
Compare the Hardest A Levels
See how Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry compare based on key difficulty factors using real exam data and student experiences from across the UK.
Further Mathematics
#1 HardestWhy it's hard: Requires rapid switching between abstract thinking and applied problem-solving. Demands mastery of complex concepts like differential equations and proof by induction.
Physics
#2 HardestWhy it's hard: Requires perfect precision in both calculations and written explanations. Demands strong math skills (vectors, calculus) and error analysis for practical experiments.
Chemistry
#3 HardestWhy it's hard: Requires memorizing hundreds of reactions while understanding mechanisms and applying them to unfamiliar scenarios. Zero tolerance for half-knowledge.
Which Subject Is Hardest For You?
Answer these questions to find which of the three hardest A levels is the most challenging for your specific strengths and weaknesses.
Your Difficulty Assessment
Based on your responses, the A level that will likely present the greatest challenge for you is:
Why this subject is challenging for you:
- Your
- Your
Key Difficulty Factors Comparison
| Difficulty Factor | Further Mathematics | Physics | Chemistry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Math Skills | Complex numbers, matrices, differential equations | Calculus, vectors, trigonometry | Logarithms, exponents, equation rearrangement |
| Conceptual Difficulty | High - abstract mathematical proofs | High - quantum mechanics, relativity | Medium-High - mechanisms, equilibrium |
| Precision Requirements | Very high - one error can cost A* | Extremely high - sign errors, unit mistakes | High - exact reaction pathways |
| Practical Requirements | Low | High - error analysis, uncertainty | Medium - titrations, practical calculations |
| Exam Structure | Problem-solving focused | Conceptual and calculation-heavy | High content recall with application |
If you're picking A levels, you’ve probably heard someone say, Further Mathematics is brutal. Or that Physics is a nightmare. Or that Chemistry will eat your weekends. But are these just rumors-or is there real data behind them? Let’s cut through the noise.
What Makes an A Level Hard?
"Hard" doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone. One student might find Biology easy because they love memorizing systems. Another might break down over essay structure in History. But when we look at pass rates, UMS scores, university entry requirements, and student surveys across the UK over the last five years, three subjects consistently stand out as the toughest.
It’s not just about content. It’s about the pace, the math, the abstract thinking, and how much you’re expected to know by exam day. The hardest A levels aren’t just full of facts-they demand you think like a scientist, a mathematician, or a philosopher every single week.
1. Further Mathematics
Let’s start with the one no one debates: Further Mathematics. It’s not just Math +1. It’s Math on steroids. While regular A Level Math covers calculus, trigonometry, and basic statistics, Further Math throws in complex numbers, matrices, hyperbolic functions, differential equations, and proof by induction-all in one year.
According to AQA and Edexcel exam board data from 2023, the A* rate for Further Mathematics was 27.4%. That’s lower than any other A level. For comparison, Biology was 28.9%, Physics was 26.8%, and English Literature was 21.3%. But here’s the catch: Further Math attracts the top 10% of math students. If you’re taking it, you’re already in the top tier. That means the grading curve is brutal. A single misstep on a proof question can cost you an A*.
Students who struggle most aren’t those who can’t do algebra-they’re the ones who can’t switch between abstract thinking and applied problem-solving fast enough. One student from Manchester told me: "I passed regular Math with a B. I failed Further Math twice before I got a C. It felt like learning a new language every week."
2. Physics
Physics is the silent killer. It doesn’t scream "I’m hard!" like Further Math. It just quietly breaks your confidence.
What makes Physics tough? It’s the combo. You need to memorize formulas, understand abstract concepts like quantum tunneling, do complex calculations, interpret graphs, and write precise explanations-all in the same exam. And the math isn’t just algebra. It’s vectors, trigonometry, logarithms, and calculus woven into real-world problems.
From 2020 to 2024, the average UMS score for Physics was 68.3%. That’s lower than Chemistry (71.1%) and Biology (73.5%). Why? Because Physics rewards precision. If you get the right method but use the wrong sign in a force equation, you lose half the marks. If you write "the object accelerates" instead of "the object accelerates at 2.4 m/s²," you lose the mark.
Practicals add another layer. The required practicals-measuring gravitational acceleration, investigating resistance, testing Young’s modulus-require you to handle error analysis, uncertainty, and graph plotting with near-perfect accuracy. One student from Bristol said: "I got an A in Chemistry. I got a C in Physics because I misread the scale on the micrometer. One millimeter cost me 15 marks."
3. Chemistry
Chemistry is where memory meets logic-and the exam board doesn’t care if you forgot to balance the equation.
It’s not just organic reactions. It’s inorganic trends, physical chemistry thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium constants, and electrochemistry-all in one course. You need to remember hundreds of reactions, understand why they happen, and then apply them to unfamiliar scenarios.
Take organic chemistry. You’re expected to know the mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution, elimination, electrophilic addition, and reduction. Not just name them-draw the electron arrows, predict products, explain stereochemistry, and justify why one pathway dominates over another. And if you mix up SN1 and SN2? You lose everything.
The 2024 AQA results showed that only 24.7% of students got an A* in Chemistry. That’s lower than Biology (28.9%) and even lower than Physics (26.8%). Why? Because Chemistry has zero tolerance for half-knowledge. You can’t wing it with a good essay. Every mark is tied to a specific fact, formula, or mechanism. One student from Leeds said: "I memorized 87 reaction pathways. I still got the wrong product on the exam because I confused the reagent for hydration with hydrolysis."
Why These Three Stand Out
What do Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry have in common?
- They all require **deep conceptual understanding**, not just recall.
- They demand **strong math skills**-even Chemistry, which feels like memorization, relies on logarithms, exponents, and rearranging equations.
- They have **low A* rates** compared to other subjects.
- They’re the most common prerequisites for top STEM degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL.
These aren’t the hardest because they’re "boring" or "long." They’re hard because they test your ability to think under pressure, spot patterns in chaos, and apply rules you’ve never seen before. You don’t just learn them-you become the kind of person who can solve problems no one has taught you how to solve.
What About the Others?
Some people say History, English Literature, or Philosophy are hard because of the essays. And they’re right-writing a 2500-word essay under timed conditions is tough. But those subjects reward structure, clarity, and argument. You can improve your essay skills with practice. You can’t practice being a genius at quantum mechanics overnight.
Art, Drama, and Media Studies? They’re demanding in different ways-time, creativity, portfolio work. But they don’t have the same pressure-cooker exams. You can’t cram for a painting. But you can cram for a physics formula sheet.
Psychology? It’s got a lot of content, but the exam structure is predictable. Biology? It’s heavy on memorization, but the questions are usually direct. Neither requires the same level of abstract reasoning as the top three.
What Should You Do?
If you’re considering these subjects:
- Don’t pick them just because they’re "prestigious." If you hate math, don’t take Further Math. You’ll burn out.
- Do your homework. Look at past papers. Try a few questions. See if you enjoy the process, not just the outcome.
- Get support early. These subjects move fast. If you fall behind in Week 3, you won’t catch up by Week 10.
- Pair them wisely. Taking all three? That’s a full-time job. Most students who do well in all three also have strong time management and study habits.
If you’re not sure, start with one. Take Physics and Biology. Or Chemistry and Math. You can always drop one after the first term. Most schools let you switch before Christmas.
Final Thought
The hardest A levels aren’t the ones with the most content. They’re the ones that don’t let you fake it. You can’t bluff your way through a differential equation. You can’t wing a titration calculation. You can’t memorize your way out of a quantum tunneling question.
These subjects reward persistence, precision, and patience. They’re hard-but they’re also the ones that open doors to the most competitive degrees and careers. If you’re willing to put in the work, they’ll make you sharper than you ever thought possible.
Are A levels harder than GCSEs?
Yes, significantly. A levels require deeper understanding, faster pace, and more independent study. GCSEs test what you’ve learned. A levels test how well you can apply it to new problems. The jump in difficulty between GCSE and A level is one of the biggest in the UK education system.
Can you do Further Mathematics without taking regular Mathematics?
No. Further Mathematics requires you to be taking A Level Mathematics at the same time. The content builds directly on it. You can’t learn complex numbers or matrices without first mastering algebra, trigonometry, and calculus from the standard course.
Do universities prefer students who take the hardest A levels?
For STEM courses-like Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, or Natural Sciences-yes. Top universities expect applicants to have at least two of the three hardest subjects. But for Law, Arts, or Social Sciences, they care more about grades and personal statements than subject difficulty.
Is it possible to get an A* in Further Mathematics without being a math genius?
Yes-but you need discipline. Many students who get A*s in Further Math aren’t prodigies. They’re the ones who do every past paper, review mistakes daily, and ask for help before they fall behind. It’s less about talent and more about consistency.
Should I drop a hard A level if I’m struggling?
If you’re consistently scoring below a C and it’s affecting your mental health or other subjects, yes. It’s better to get strong grades in three subjects than mediocre grades in four. Many students who drop one hard subject end up with higher overall UCAS points and better university offers.
Next Steps
Before you decide:
- Download past papers for Further Math, Physics, and Chemistry from your exam board’s website.
- Try one paper for each subject under timed conditions.
- Ask your current science or math teacher to review your answers.
- Talk to students who took these subjects last year.
- Don’t pick based on what your friends are doing-pick based on what you can sustain.
These subjects aren’t just hard-they’re transformative. If you’re ready for the challenge, they’ll change how you think. If you’re not, that’s okay too. There are plenty of paths to success that don’t require quantum mechanics.